Post-Election Woes!!!

courtesy of Mike McCabe

Unable to rap my head around Americans choosing a buffoon over a qualified candidate to run our country as President, I searched out explanations online. After reading some disheartening suggestions, I gave up looking. However, during my search I did find an article that pretty much summed up my thoughts, feelings, and some of my conclusions about why him and not her, and why now and not 2020.

San Francisco Gate columnist Drew Magary has written a Morning-After piece which I believe all Americans looking for answers to this Presidential election should read. It's titled "Democracy died in plain sight."

Instead of blaming any one thing, he highlights just about everything that sticks out about Americans "putting this deranged asshole in charge again." It is one hell of an indictment of Americans as a people who pride themselves on living in a democracy yet chose one of the most undemocratic of former presidents to lead the country again. 

Oh well, an American majority asked for it and I suppose it'll get what it voted for. "Thank you sir may I have another!"

Democracy died in plain sight

Donald Trump was elected president again last night. After being voted out of office in 2020. After trying to rig the vote and then to overthrow the government by force in the wake of that loss. After all but welcoming a pandemic that ended up killing more than a million of us. After ripping away abortion care rights from millions of American women. After being impeached, twice. After being convicted of multiple felonies. After dogging it on the campaign trail, playing to emptying halls while speaking in demented tongues unknown even to him. After all of that, and God knows what else, we have to do this s—t all over again.

Cont'd . . . .

 

Haile Selassie United Nations Speech - Oct. 4, 1963

 

On October 4, 1963, Haile Selassie, the Emperor of Ethiopia, delivered a speech to the United Nations General Assembly. In his speech, Selassie discussed a range of topics, including: 

• The United Nations

  Selassie praised the United Nations for its actions in places like Palestine, Korea, Suez, and the Congo, and noted that it had provided a basis for hope for the future. 
• Nuclear testing

  Selassie supported the atmospheric nuclear test ban treaty, but noted that nations could still develop weapons of mass destruction through underground testing. 
Racial discrimination
Selassie praised the Kennedy administration's efforts to eradicate racial discrimination in the United States. 
Africa
Selassie spoke about the importance of giving smaller nations a voice in world affairs, and of ensuring that Africa's struggle for equality was reflected in the United Nations. 
Peace
Selassie emphasized that peace required the united efforts of all, and that the rights of the least should be protected as much as those of the greatest. 
Equality of representation
Selassie argued that equality of representation was essential to the United Nations, and that the hungry, naked, and ignorant should be provided for. 

Selassie also presented an ivory replica of the obelisk at Axum, Ethiopia, to the United Nations Headquarters, and deposited the Charter of the Organization of African Unity with the Secretary-General. 

Some of Selassie's words were immortalized in Bob Marley's song "War".

Generative AI is experimental. 

Emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie, who once addressed and warned the League of Nations (precursor to UN) of Italy's (Mussolini) attack on his nation, "It is us today, it will be you tomorrow." Three years later, September 1, 1939, Germany under Adolph Hitler invaded Poland, sparking World War II. 

And so, the prophesy of a wise and dignified African nation leader, whose warning and pleas for assistance against fascist Mussolini went unheeded by European leaders, came to fruition. The resulting war cost an estimated 35-60 million lives lost worldwide, majority being civilians. 

The Italo-Abyssinian War (1889-1896) • (blackpast.org)

Battle of Dogali - Wikipedia

Monument to the Fallen of Dogali – Rome, Italy - Atlas Obscura

Dogali Victory: Symbol Of Supreme African Patriotism Or Servility?

RaiderLegend: The Ethiopian Mercury

Fox Movietone 1935 News Footage - Ethiopia Prays for Peace while Preparing for War

The Forge - Watch Faith & Fellowship Take Hold

Wow, what a movie "The Forge" is. Seeing how faith and fellowship can heal and reposition lives is always amazing. But this movie goes beyond preaching to the choir. Its focus is a young man who like many young men, want to be respected as a man without knowing what it really takes to be a man. What this young man had going for him is his willingness to finally listen. He listens to his momma's frustrations with him, and he listens to a advice from a man who would later become his mentor. Then he makes a choice and begins to act on it.

We were all young once and couldn't wait to step out and make our mark in the world. Many of us stepped out with arrogance and false pride, thinking we had all the smarts and answers to conquer the world while avoiding its pitfalls. Then life happens, and hopefully it humbled us just enough to allow ourselves to be helped and guided by others. We learn through fellowship the blessings and miracles of prayer and love. 

The characters in the film demonstrate the strength and beauty that comes with turning one's life over to God.  

What touched me in the movie as a parent is seeing a parent's love, patience, and prayers while waiting for their child to step toward God and receive blessings. Blessings not for the parent's sake, but for the child. I don't think there's any prouder moment for a parent than seeing their child embrace God. To know that your child has learned reverence for a supreme spiritual being, putting trust in God to guide and protect him/her as they walk the righteous path of faith is a parental blessing almost unequaled. Especially for parents who have gone through the fires and frustrations of teenage upbringing.

“The Forge,” is also very much about mentorship. It reminds us older men, Christian and all, of our duty to engage and help steer younger men toward becoming fully responsible and respectful men in our communities and the world. And with faith in God as a foundation for moral and spiritual growth. Because whether they know it or not, they are shaping the future of our world by the choices they make today. 

"With God, all things are possible" - Matt.19:26, Mark 10:27

“Many a Mickle can make a Muckle” Scottish proverb

(many little things added together can make a big thing)

With God All Things Are Possible | The Bible with Nicky and Pippa Gumbel

The Discipline of Discipleship - C.S. Lewis Institute